Thursday - August 20

 Warm and sunny - 80's again and after some cleaning up inside Flo, we took our bikes downtown Cedar Falls (LOVE their bike paths with plenty of benches, bathrooms, etc.).    What a charming downtown with really cute shops, eateries, flowers AND..."Cup of Joe" which was one of the cutest coffee shops we've seen (mainly been driving or walking up to the tiny ones out west).    Got our coffees and cinnamon coffee cake for Mark and pear zucchini muffin for me - all delish!    We sat outside with a nice breeze and no one close to us.

Rode back to Flo and later, took Big Red to Waterloo and some errands - after ALL the talk about how important it is to wear masks, just can't believe there are still folks strolling around in stores WITHOUT?    WHY?    Guess the rules don't apply to some people?

So good to see some favorites of ours that we've missed cause they are NOT out west......Chick-fil-A, Dunkin Donuts, Panera, etc.

I mentioned a bubble tea and how much I loved that drink (Grand Forks, ND and Coos Bay, OR).   So, I googled "bubble tea" and tah dah......Pearl Tea is in Cedar Falls and the reviews were all *****    Went there and I enjoyed my peach one - not too sweet - perfect with the tapioca balls!    Then to Panera for pick up - wanted a salad but no romaine today - WHAT?    That's a main ingredient?    So we each had a sandwich - good!!!    Got some diesel for Big Red and on home.

The temp climbed on up and away this afternoon with higher humidity than we've been used to!  We stayed indoors and read, did computer stuff, etc.

                      Pretty trek thru the woods this morning

That's Mark up ahead 

Miss Maeve is all set for JK4 (Junior Kindergarten) this morning along with big brother Luke

Luke and Blair in their classroom yesterday - Blair in front; Luke to the right of teacher.

I walked and Mark rode his bike around the lake.   So impressed with the Rotary who have really beautified this park with all the prairie grass and signs describing it, nice restroom facilities, and several benches dedicated to someone.   Today we came across 2 more "fix-it" stations for bikers.   Must be an Iowa thing!

Hats off to these fine folks!

11 months ago tonight, Patrick passed away......he would be so proud of Anne and his boys.  I'm sure he's looking down on the boys going off to high school with a big smile!